Quake in Italy destroys $320M worth of Parm, Padano

An earthquake in northern Italy has destroyed more than 300,000 wheels of cheese worth an estimated 250 million euros (£200m).

The magnitude-6.0 earthquake killed at least six people, injured dozens and damaged historic buildings including a famed medieval castle early on Sunday, waking terrified citizens and sending thousands running into the streets.

The tremor has also devastated the region’s cheese industry, destroying tonnes of Parmesan and Grana Padano.

This is on the heels of the worst winter they can ever remember. The nature of the Parmiggiano Reggiano process is that everyday the cheese makers sell about 8-12 wheels of cheese that they made 18-24 months ago. It’s all stored in the same room so if an entire caseificio is destroyed you are looking at needing 18-24 months to sell another wheel. Devestating to these small cheese producers.